1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

* * *

“Sweet, smooth and sassy.” The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most iconic American cars of the 20th century, celebrated for its bold styling and cultural impact. As the top trim level of Chevrolet’s full-size lineup, the Bel Air featured distinctive design elements such as tailfins, anodized aluminum trim, and a wide, chrome-laden grille that captured the spirit of 1950s optimism.

Under the hood, the Bel Air offered a range of engines, including the revolutionary 283-cubic inch V8 with optional fuel injection — making it one of the first mass-produced cars to offer this technology. Buyers could choose from a variety of body styles, including two-door hardtops, convertibles, and station wagons, each combining performance with style.

The 1957 model year marked the peak of the Tri-Five Chevrolets (1955–1957), and while it faced stiff competition from Ford, the Bel Air’s enduring appeal has made it a favorite among collectors and hot rodders. Its blend of affordability, innovation, and flair helped cement Chevrolet’s reputation as a leader in the postwar automotive boom.

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• Finished in Black with Black and Silver interior

• Reportedly a 350 cu-in V8

• Reportedly a four-speed manual transmission

• Upgraded to an alternator

Features

• 17-inch American Racing aluminum wheels wearing 225/50ZR17 front, 255/40ZR17 rear BF Goodrich tires

• Holley aluminum intake manifold, and aftermarket carburetor and air cleaner

• Iconic tailfins and gold anodized trim

• Factory speedometer, coolant temp, and fuel level gauges, with dash-mounted oil pressure and amp gauges

• Electric clock and cigarette lighter

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars.

• Paint imperfections including scuffs, chips, and worn finish

• Brightwork worn including damaged emblems

• Worn interior including ripped bench seats and stained carpet

• Driver side rear window is broken

Ownership History

This 1957 Chevrolet is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: William Cooper Phone: 469.463.4542 email: wcooper@hagerty.com

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is.

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.